Dual diagnosis can be a situation whereby two independent disorders are present, and most typically denotes a co-occurring substance abuse and mental health disorder. A dual diagnosis can help someone who may possibly not have been capable of being helped during the past, stop drug abuse by being correctly diagnosed and treated. Their mental health disorder could have been misdiagnosed, not diagnosed at all, or treated incorrectly which could have prompted and led to their drug or alcohol use problems. Establishing the reality that someone is actually a dual diagnosis client not merely helps establish an effective treatment course for them, but could also help clients better determine what caused their substance abuse and the way to prevent it in the foreseeable future. Addressing dual diagnosis can be a more extensive process compared to a typical drug rehab program, and individuals who have a dual diagnosis might be required to participate in a substantial aftercare program which might include appropriate medical support along with continued rehab services. Being diagnosed with co-occurring disorders doesn't mean that the individual will have to be medicated through out their lives either, and in reality lots of people with a dual diagnosis experience far better results when treated holistically and when alternative therapy is employed.